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When Walker pulls a Brewer on immigration

07/03/13 04:24 PMUpdated 10/02/13 10:03 PM

When Walker pulls a Brewer on immigration

Associated Press

Just last week, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) surprised many when she expressed her support for the Senate’s comprehensive immigration reform bill, calling it a “victory for Arizona.” Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), among others, was delighted, and Democrats eagerly touted Brewer’s comments.

It didn’t last. A full day after praising the bipartisan legislation, Brewer said her description of the bill as a “victory for Arizona” did not mean she endorses the idea.

Gov. Scott Walker distanced himself from House Republicans debating a new immigration bill Tuesday by endorsing a path to citizenship for immigrant workers.

In a meeting with the Daily Herald Media Editorial Board, Walker acknowledged that a substantial number of Wisconsin farms depend on migrant workers, some of them here illegally. He also was sharply critical of how difficult the federal government makes it for those workers to come to this country.

It wasn’t an exact quote, but the report from the local news outlet added, “Walker said he is in favor of the Senate immigration bill.”

As was the case with Brewer last week, reform proponents were delighted to have support from a high-profile governor, eagerly getting the word out about Walker’s endorsement. And just like last week, Walker did what Brewer did, telling the Weekly Standard that the governor “has not endorsed any specific policy.”

When the Weekly Standard asked if Walker would take a position at some point on the Senate bill, the governor’s press secretary did not reply.